Robert Blair

Robert Blair (1699 – 4 February 1746) was a Scottish poet.

The Grave (1743)

 * The Grave, dread thing! Men shiver when thou 'rt named: Nature, appall'd, Shakes off her wonted firmness.
 * Part I, line 9.


 * The Schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand, Whistling aloud to bear his courage up.
 * Part I, line 58. Compare: "Whistling to keep myself from being afraid", John Dryden, Amphitryon Act iii, scene 1.


 * Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul! Sweetener of life! and solder of society!
 * Part I, line 88.


 * Of joys departed, Not to return, how painful the remembrance!
 * Part I, line 109.


 * But if there be an hereafter, And that there is, conscience, uninfluenc'd And suffer'd to speak out, tells every man, Then must it be an awful thing to die; More horrid yet to die by one's own hand.
 * Part I, line 398.


 * Our time is fixed, and all our days are number'd; How long, how short, we know not:—this we know, Duty requires we calmly wait the summons, Nor dare to stir till Heaven shall give permission.
 * Part I, line 417.


 * The cup goes round: And who so artful as to put it by! 'T is long since Death had the majority.
 * Part II, line 449.


 * The good he scorn'd Stalk'd off reluctant, like an ill-used ghost, Not to return; or if it did, in visits Like those of angels, short and far between.
 * Part II, line 586. Compare: "Like angels’ visits, short and bright", John Norris, The Parting.


 * The common damn'd shun their society.
 * Referring to suicides in Hell. Attributed to Lamb, but not found in his works.